Folding tamper-proof case and methods thereof

ABSTRACT

The disclosed systems and methods relate to improved tamper-proof cases for securely storing and shipping products. A case can include a back panel, two sidewalls, an upper foldable section, and a lower foldable section. Each of the features of the case can be manufactured on a single sheet of material. The upper and lower foldable sections include panels having apertures for holding the top and bottom of a product, respectively. The upper foldable section includes one or more fasteners that secures the upper foldable section to the sidewalls. Once secured, the products cannot be removed from the case without showing evidence of the removal. The disclosed systems also provide a tear strip and/or a tear corner that can be used to release the products from the sealed case.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority under35 USC § 120 to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/904,106, filed 17Jun. 2020, which is a continuation of International Application No.PCT/CN2020/094300, having an international filing date of 4 Jun. 2020.The entire contents of these applications are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to an improved case or portionsthereof for shipping and storing various products, including bottledliquids, and, more particularly, for improving the storage, transport,and protection of products such as beverage bottles.

BACKGROUND

Wine and other beverage producers commonly use rectangular cases made ofeither wood or cardboard to transport bottles. These cases compriseinternal compartments separated by wood, cardboard, plastic, or foam toprovide a certain level of protection for the bottles inside. After thebottles are placed within the cases, the cases are closed and set outfor shipment to the wholesaler, retailer, or customer. These closedcases of bottles present several problems due to the inherent flaws ofthe case designs. For example, a wholesaler, retailer, or customer mayhave difficulties viewing the contents of the case, determining ifsomeone has tampered with the contents of the case, displaying thecontents of the case, or any combination of these limitations.

Ordinarily, to view the contents within a bottle case, each individualbottle must be removed from the case. The handling of each bottlecreates an opportunity to damage the bottle. Since each bottle in thecase can be removed, a fraudster could also tamper with the contents ofthe bottle case. For example, someone inspecting the bottles can replacea bottle, or the liquid therein, with a different, less-valuableproduct. Finally, current methods do not provide an aesthetic system fordisplaying the bottles. The wooden case, for example, requires tools towedge open the lid, which can be easily damaged when being pried apartfrom the body of the case. What is needed, therefore, is a system thatprevents tampering, provides bottle viewability, provides protection forthe bottles, and maintains an aesthetic form for displaying the bottles.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure address these concerns as well asother needs that will become apparent upon reading the description belowin conjunction with the drawings. Briefly described, aspects of thepresent disclosure relate to an improved case or portions thereof forshipping and storing various products, including bottled liquids, and,more particularly, for improving the storage, transport, and protectionof products such as beverage bottles.

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a tamper-proof case andmethod of use. The case can be manufactured as a single sheet ofmaterial. A plurality of features can be formed into the single sheet,e.g., a flat and coplanar carboard sheet, such that the case can befolded from an open, flat configuration to a closed configuration forstoring bottles or other products.

The case can include a back panel, two sidewalls, an upper foldablesection, and a lower foldable section. The upper foldable section andlower foldable section can include several panels foldably connected toone another, for example along a crease or perforation line in thematerial. The upper foldable section can include a top panel, an upperfront panel facing toward the customer, and an upper holder panel, forexample. The upper holder panel can include apertures for holding afirst end of the product in the case, such as the neck of a bottle. Thelower foldable section can include a bottom panel, a lower front panelfacing toward the customer, and a lower holder panel, for example. Thelower holder panel can include apertures for holding the second end ofthe product in the case, such as the heel of a bottle.

The case can include a fastener on the upper foldable section. Thefastener can include adhesive, tamper-evident tape, and/or anothermechanical fastener. An example mechanical fastener described hereinincludes a foldable tuck-tab fastener. The folding tabs on the tuck-tabfastener can be pinched inwardly and inserted into fastener openings inthe sidewalls. Once the fastener is secure, the case can be permanentlysecured such that the products cannot be removed from the case withoutthe case showing evidence of the removal.

Additional foldable sections or panels are also described herein toincrease the structural integrity and security of the case. A top flapand a bottom flap that provide support at the corners of the case aredescribed. The top flap and the bottom flap can abut the back panel andrun alongside the sidewalls. The top flap can also include a fasteneropening that meets with the fastener opening in the sidewall and acceptsthe foldable fastener. The case can also include a tamper-proofing tearstrip that enables an end user to remove the contents of the case. Thetear strip can be located on the upper holder panel proximate theapertures for holding the first end of the product. Once the tear stripis torn, a portion of the upper aperture can be removed to enable theproduct to be pulled outwardly from the apertures. The tear strip canalso be positioned on the opposite end of the case, such that the tearstrip is located proximate the lower apertures holding the second end ofthe product. A tear corner can be placed at an opening section of thecase, for example on the upper front panel near a fastener tab thatincludes one of the foldable fasteners. The tear corner can form thefront corner of the case, and can include a perforation line that can bebroken to open the upper front panel with respect to the fastener tab.The fastener tab (and thus fastener) can remain intact after the tearcorner is torn, and evidence of opening can be provided by the torn tearcorner. The cases can also include a secondary fastener tear striplocated near the fastener on the fastener tab. For example, the fastenertear strip can be used in addition to the tear corner such that theentire fastener tab can be torn from the case, and the upper front panelcan be hinged upon to access the tops of the bottles once the fastenertab is removed. The faster tear strip can also be provided instead ofthe tear corner, and the fastener tear strip alone can be used toevidence if someone tries to pull out the fastener when the case is in aclosed configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Reference now will be made to the accompanying figures, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top view of an unfolded case in an open configuration,according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is a front view of an example case in a closed configuration,according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of an example case in a closedconfiguration, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views of a case in an openconfiguration, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 4A-4M depict an example process of packaging a bottle within anexample case, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 5A-5I depict example steps and mechanisms to release a productfrom a closed case, according to some embodiments of the presentdisclosure; and

FIGS. 6A-6D are perspective views of a case being positioned within anouter box, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure can be understood more readily by reference tothe following detailed description of exemplary embodiments and theexamples included herein. Before the exemplary embodiments of thedevices and methods according to the present disclosure are disclosedand described, it is to be understood that embodiments are not limitedto those described within this disclosure. Numerous modifications andvariations therein will be apparent to those skilled in the art andremain within the scope of the disclosure. It is also to be understoodthat the terminology used herein is for describing specific embodimentsonly and is not intended to be limiting. Some embodiments of thedisclosed technology will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings. This disclosed technology may,however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construedas limited to the embodiments set forth therein.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth.But it is to be understood that embodiments of the disclosed technologymay be practiced without these specific details. In other instances,well-known methods, structures, and techniques have not been shown indetail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,”“some embodiments,” “certain embodiments,” “various embodiments,” etc.,indicate that the embodiment(s) of the disclosed technology so describedmay include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but notevery embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure,or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in oneembodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, althoughit may.

Unless otherwise noted, the terms used herein are to be understoodaccording to conventional usage by those of ordinary skill in therelevant art. In addition to any definitions of terms provided below, itis to be understood that as used in the specification and in the claims,“a” or “an” can mean one or more, depending upon the context in which itis used. Throughout the specification and the claims, the followingterms take at least the meanings explicitly associated herein, unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “or” is intended tomean an inclusive “or.” Further, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” areintended to mean one or more unless specified otherwise or clear fromthe context to be directed to a singular form.

Unless otherwise specified, the use of the ordinal adjectives “first,”“second,” “third,” etc., to describe a common object, merely indicatethat different instances of like objects are being referred to and arenot intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a givensequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any othermanner.

Also, in describing the exemplary embodiments, terminology will beresorted to for the sake of clarity. It is intended that each termcontemplates its broadest meaning as understood by those skilled in theart and includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similarmanner to accomplish a similar purpose.

To facilitate an understanding of the principles and features of theembodiments of the present disclosure, exemplary embodiments areexplained hereinafter with reference to their implementation in anillustrative embodiment. Such illustrative embodiments are not, however,intended to be limiting.

The materials described hereinafter as making up the various elements ofthe embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to beillustrative and not restrictive. Many suitable materials that wouldperform the same or a similar function as the materials described hereinare intended to be embraced within the scope of the example embodiments.Such other materials not described herein can include, but are notlimited to, materials that are developed after the time of thedevelopment of the disclosed technology, for example.

Reference numbers throughout the figures that are underlined indicatethat a particular panel or object is being referred to. For example, anunderlined “202” in the figures refers to the panel (e.g., the upperholder panel) being described.

Embodiments of the disclosed technology include a tamper-proof case forstoring and transporting bottles of wine. In various embodiments, atamper-proof case can provide improvements to protecting the integrityof the bottled wine, as well as features that allow a user to moreeasily use the wine case. A tamper-proof bottle case according to thepresent disclosure can be used by wine manufacturers to package bottlesof wine and also can be used by consumers to store the wine bottles athome or to transport the bottles.

Throughout this disclosure, certain embodiments are described inexemplary fashion in relation to storing and transporting bottles ofwine. But embodiments of the disclosed technology are not so limited. Insome embodiments, the disclosed techniques may be effective in storingand transporting bottles or containers of many other types of liquids.For example, and not limitation, the upper and lower apertures, as willbe described herein, can be configured for spirit bottles, beer bottles,water bottles, cosmetic bottles, and other bottles having differentshapes and sizes. It will also be understood that the tamper-proof casesdescribed herein can be configured to store products other than bottles,such as toys, electronics, or any other product.

Various devices and methods are disclosed for providing and using atamper-proof case, and exemplary embodiments of the devices and methodswill now be described with reference to the accompanying figures. FIG. 1is a top view of an unfolded case 100 in an open configuration,according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As can be seenin the figure, a benefit of the present systems and methods is that acomplete case 100 for storing and transporting items can be constructedfrom a single sheet of material. Referring to FIG. 2A for illustration,the example case 100 is in a closed configuration and is storing bottles500. In FIG. 2A, each bottle 500 (three bottles in the example) issecured in the closed case. The example shown in FIG. 2A can be foldedinto this final, closed configuration from a single, coplanar sheet ofmaterial similar to the one shown in FIG. 1.

Referring again to FIG. 1, a case 100 can include a back panel 102, afirst sidewall 104, a second sidewall 106, an upper foldable section200, and a lower foldable section 300. When the upper foldable section200, the lower foldable section 300, the first sidewall 104, and thesecond sidewall 106 are in their open configurations, as shown in thefigure, each feature can be substantially coplanar with the back panel102. This design provides several benefits. A case 100 can bemanufactured, for example, from cutting a single sheet into a desiredshape. Additionally, a large quantity of cases 100 can be stacked duringshipment to the end user, and the open configuration greatly decreasesthe storage volume required for empty, open cases 100.

An upper foldable section 200 can include the various features requiredto store the top of an item, for example the neck of a bottle 500. Theupper foldable section 200 can include an upper holder panel 202. Theupper holder panel 202 can include one or more upper apertures 204 forholding one end of the items being stored in the case 100. For example,the upper apertures 204 can be sized to hold the neck of a bottle 500.The upper apertures 204 can be cut, stamped, etc. into the upper holderpanel 202 to create the hole for holding the bottle 500. The upperaperture 204 can be circular if made to hold a circular neck, forexample when storing wine. It is contemplated that the upper aperture204 can be modified according to the shape of the contents being stored.A spirit bottle can be square, and the upper aperture 204 can be square;an electronic device or a toy can have any number of geometries, and theupper apertures 204 can be formed to hold those geometries. Using abottle as an example, the dimensions of the upper aperture 204 can alsobe modified based on the dimensions of the particular bottle beingstored in the case 100, since bottles can take many different shapes andsizes (e.g., piccolo or split (187.5 ml), demi or half (375 ml),standard (750 ml), magnum (1.5 L), double magnum (3.0 L), etc.).

The upper holder panel 202 can be foldably connected to an upper frontpanel 206. The upper holder panel 202 and the upper front panel 206 areseparated by a dotted line in the figure; dotted lines are used in FIG.1 to indicate where a fold can be made. The use of the term “foldably”herein can be understood to mean that two features are connected butthat one can be moved, or hinged, with respect to the other. Thismovement can be facilitated by providing an area in the material of thecase 100 that is creased, perforated, and/or the like. Furthermore, thevarious “panels” herein can be described with reference to theirlocation or purpose on the case 100 when the case 100 is in a closedconfiguration. An upper front panel 206, for example, is the panel that,once the case 100 is closed, is facing the front of the case 100; theupper holder panel 202 is facing toward the product within the case 100(e.g., the bottle) to hold the item when the case 100 is closed.Referring to FIG. 2A for illustration, the upper front panel 206 is atthe top of the closed case 100. A “top” panel can be on the top of thecase 100 in FIG. 2A; similar is true for the lower front panel, bottompanel, and lower holder panel, which will be described in greater detailherein.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the upper front panel 206 can be foldablyconnected to a top panel 208. Again, once the upper foldable section 200is in a closed configuration, the top panel 208 can form the top of theclosed case 100. The top panel 208 can be foldably connected to the backpanel 102. Once the upper holder panel 202, upper front panel 206, andtop panel 208 are in a closed configuration, the three panels can form abox to hold and conceal the top of the bottle 500. Referring to FIG. 2Afor illustration, the top of the case 100 comprises an upper box 210that holds the neck of the bottle 500. The entirety of the upper box 210can be created, for example, by folding the upper holder panel 202inwardly to 90° with respect to the upper front panel 206 (i.e.,perpendicular), folding the upper front panel 206 inwardly to 90° withrespect to the top panel 208, and folding the top panel 208 inwardly 90°with respect to the back panel 102. This final folding step will causethe upper holder panel 202 to rest 90° with respect to the back panel102.

The upper foldable section 200 can also include additional panels toincrease the amount of material at the top and thus increase theprotection of the bottles and the rigidity of the case 100. Thesepanels, referred to as top internal supports 212,214,216,218, can extendbeyond and be foldably connected to the upper holder panel 202. When theupper foldable section 200 is in a closed configuration, the topinternal supports 212,214,216,218 can be found inside the upper box 210formed by the upper holder panel 202, the upper front panel 206, and thetop panel 208. An upper box 210 with a plurality of top internalsupports 212,214,216,218 can protect the bottles 500 within the case 100and ensure they do not break. For example, a case 100 with a pluralityof top internal supports 212,214,216,218 can be dropped at the topcorner of the case 100 from a distance of about 0.9 m without damagingthe bottles therein. This is a significant improvement over legacycases, as many cases use dry pulp to cover the bottles 500 to protectthem. The present system can provide the protection without the additionof unattractive, bulky padding like dry pulp.

The upper foldable section 200 can include one or more top flaps 219extending from the top panel 208. The top flap 219 can be foldedinwardly prior to folding the upper foldable section 200 into its closedconfiguration. One edge of the top flap 219 can rest, or abut, the backpanel 102. The one or more top flaps 219 can provide additionalstructural support for the corners of the case 100 where the sidewalls104,106 meet with the upper foldable section 200. The top flap 219 canprevent the case 100 from opening at those corners and also providecompression support if dropped on the corner.

The first sidewall 104 and the second sidewall 106 can be foldedinwardly to approximately 90° with respect to the back panel 102,thereby forming the sides of the case 100. The first sidewall 104 andsecond sidewall 106 can include a first sidewall flap 108 and a secondsidewall flap 110, respectively. The first sidewall 104 and secondsidewall 106 can be folded inwardly to provide additional side supportfor the case 100. In example cases 100 with one or more top flaps 219(or bottom flaps 319), the first sidewall flap 108 and/or secondsidewall flap 110 can fold over the top flaps 219, thereby sandwichingthe top flaps 219 between respective sidewalls 104,106 and sidewallflaps 108,110. This construction can also provide additional rigidity atthe top corners of the case 100.

The first sidewall flap 108 and/or the second sidewall flap 110 caninclude one or more locking tabs 114 extending therefrom. The lockingtab 114 can be an extension of the sidewall flap 108,110 that can extendinto a respective tab slit 116 in the back panel 102. For example, oncethe sidewall flaps 108,110 are folded to the back panel 102, a lockingtab 114 can extend into a tab slit 116 to prevent the sidewall flaps108,110 from separating from the sidewalls 104,106 (for example likeopening a book).

A lower foldable section 300 can include the various features requiredto store the bottom of an item, for example the heel of a bottle 500.The lower foldable section 300 can include a lower holder panel 302. Thelower holder panel 302 can be similar to the upper holder panel 202except that the lower holder panel 302 can include one or more lowerapertures 304 for holding the second end of the product, e.g., the heelof the bottle 500. The lower apertures 304 can be sized according to theshape and dimensions of the product being stored.

The lower holder panel 302 can be foldably connected to a lower frontpanel 306. The lower front panel 306 can be foldably connected to abottom panel 308. Once the lower foldable section 300 is in a closedconfiguration, the bottom panel 308 can form the bottom of the closedcase 100. The bottom panel 308 can be foldably connected to the backpanel 102. Once the lower holder panel 302, lower front panel 306, andbottom panel 308 are in a closed configuration, the three panels canform a box to hold and conceal the bottom of the product. Referring toFIG. 2A for illustration, the bottom of the case 100 comprises a lowerbox 310 that holds the bottom of the product. The lower box 310 can besimilar to the upper box 210. By folding the lower foldable section 300similar to the upper foldable section 200, the lower holder panel 302can rest 90° with respect to the back panel 102.

Similar to the upper foldable section 200, the lower foldable section300 can also include additional panels to increase the amount ofmaterial at the bottom and thus increase the protection to the bottlesand the rigidity of the case 100. These panels, referred to as bottominternal supports 312,314,316,318 can extend beyond and be foldablyconnected to the lower holder panel 302. The bottom internal supports312,314,316,318 can be similar in all regards to the top internalsupports 212,214,216,218 to provide drop protection at the bottomcorners of the case 100.

The lower foldable section 300 can include one or more bottom flaps 319extending from the bottom panel 308. The bottom flap 319 can be foldedinwardly prior to folding the lower foldable section 300 into its closedconfiguration. One edge of the bottom flap 319 can rest, or abut, theback panel 102. The one or more bottom flaps 319 can provide additionalstructural support for the corners of the case 100 where the sidewalls104,106 meet with the lower foldable section 300. The one or more bottomflaps 319 can be similar to the top flaps 219 of the upper foldablesection 200. A sidewall flap 108,110 can be folded onto the lower holderflaps 320 in a final closed configuration. In other examples, the case100 can include one or more base flaps 112 that can be folded over thebottom flaps 319 once the bottom flaps 319 are abutting the back panel102.

The lower foldable section 300 can also include one or more lower holderflaps 320 extending from the lower holder panel 302. The lower holderflaps 320 can be folded such that, when the lower foldable section 300is in a closed configuration, the lower holder flaps 320 are directedtoward the upper foldable section 200. One edge of the lower holderflaps 320 can rest, or abut, the back panel 102. The lower holder flaps320 can add additional structural support for the case and/or providepadding for the heel of a bottle 500. In some examples, a sidewall flap108,110 can be folded onto the lower holder flaps 320 in a final closedconfiguration.

In some examples, the upper foldable section 200 can include a fastener220 to permanently lock the case 100 when bottles 500 or other productsare stored within the case 100. In FIG. 2A, for example, the upper frontpanel 206 and the lower front panel 306 are both in a closedconfiguration and are coplanar with one another. In this closedconfiguration, some example cases 100 enable the products to be storedsuch that they cannot be removed from the case 100 without evidence ofsuch removal. As described above, legacy storage systems did not provideevidence of such tampering—a bottle 500 or other product could beremoved from the case and the contents of the bottle 500 could bealtered. In the case of wine bottles, this is a significant limitation,as someone can easily remove an expensive bottle and replace it with aless valuable bottle or, alternatively, someone can consume the contentsof the bottle and replace the liquid with less valuable wine. Thepresent systems for storing bottles solves this problem by providing afastener 220 to permanently secure the bottles 500 or other productswithin the case 100. Throughout this disclosure, reference to “permanentstorage” or “permanent attachment” can be understood to mean that theproducts cannot be removed and replaced without showing evidence of thistampering. The fastener 220 can be positioned on a fastener tab 221 thatfolds around the sidewalls 104,106 when the case 100 is in a closedconfiguration.

The fastener 220 can include any attachment that can secure the case 100into a closed configuration. This can include but is not limited toadhesive, tamper-evident tape, and/or a mechanical fastener.Tamper-evident tape can include any tape known in the art that can beused to indicate whether the tape has been removed, broken, or cut. Forexample, tamper-evident tape can include wording that prohibits the tapefrom being realigned and reattached once removed. Tamper-evident tapecan include language similar to “check contents if seal is broken” andthe like. The tape can also include labels that evidence the opening ofthe case 100 if broken or torn.

A number of mechanical fasteners can also be used to permanently securethe case 100. Referring again to FIG. 1, a fastener 220 can include atuck tab as shown in the figure. The tuck-tab fastener 220 includes oneor more folding tabs 222 that can be pinched inward and inserted into afastener opening (e.g., a slit or hole, as shown in the example asfastener opening 224 a,b,c). Once inside the fastener opening 224 a,b,c,the one or more folding tabs 222 can expand to lock the fastener 220into place. FIGS. 4I-4M show the steps of using an example tuck-tabfastener 220 to secure a case 100. In some examples, the fasteneropening can be disposed on the sidewalls 104,106 (e.g., fastener opening224 a). When a case 100 includes a sidewall flap 108,110, the sidewallflap 108,110 can include a fastener opening (e.g., fastener opening 224b) that meets with the first fastener opening 224 a once the sidewallflap 108,110 is folded inward. When a case 100 includes one or more topflaps 219, the one or more top flaps 219 can include a fastener opening(e.g., fastener opening 224 c) that meets with the first fasteneropening 224 a and/or second fastener opening 224 b once the top flap 219is folded inward. The inclusion of multiple fastener openings 224 a,b,ccan increase the stability and strength of the case 100 when a fastener220 is inserted into each of the fastener openings 224 a,b,c.

Another mechanical fastener 220 can include a tab extending from thefastener tab 221 that includes shaped card, which is shaped like anarrow that can pass in only one direction through a fastener opening 224a,b,c. In other examples, the mechanical fastener 220 can includesecuring a tab extending from the upper front panel 206 to the sidewalls104,106 with a stapleless staple technique. The stapleless stapletechnique punctures a first portion of the material being stapled, foldsthat first portion over on top of the non-punctured portion of thematerial, and then tucks the first portion under a slit to hold thematerial (or multiple layers of material) together. Other mechanicalfasteners are contemplated, including but not limited to rivets,staples, and the like.

The material for the single-piece case 100 can include cardboard,corrugated cardboard, greyboard, paper, fiber pulp (including paperpulp) and/or the like or any combinations thereof. As described above,the several panels described herein can be foldably connected to anyadjacent panel. To this end, the material can be sufficiently flexibleto enable the folding of the panels. It is also contemplated that thevarious panels can be a more rigid material, such as wood and the like,and each panel can be foldably attached via a hinge. An example hingecan include a fabric hinge and/or a metal hinge, including but notlimited to a butt hinge, a case hinge, a bi-fold hinge, a piano hinge,and the like.

The case 100 can also be manufactured from fiber that includes naturalbiomass materials. It is also contemplated that the materials used for abottle case 100 can take advantage of the raw resources found at thebottling facilities. For example, wine bottlers may have an excess ofbiomass byproduct created from the winemaking process. This biomassbyproduct can include vine clippings, leftover grape seeds, and leftovergrape skins. A spirit bottler may, for example, have leftover barley,rye, sugarcane, or other fermentation byproducts. Therefore, it iscontemplated the bottle case 100 may take advantage of this excessbiomass. In some embodiments, the recycled cardboard can include wastefrom the liquid manufacturing processes, including but not limited tovine clippings, grape seeds, grape skins, barley, rye, and/or sugarcane.The percentage of natural biomass that is included into the fiberproduct can be 20% or more of the recycled product, e.g., vine waste.The case 100 can also include synthetic polymers, e.g., plastics, and/ora combination of synthetic polymers and natural materials. Any of thematerials described can also include recycled materials.

As will be described in greater detail below, the case 100 can includefeatures that indicate if a potential fraudster has tampered with thecase, for example by trying to pry open the fastener 220 of the case 100or any other section of the case. To alert a customer to such tampering,perforations, tearable corners, and the like can be used to enable thecontents of the case 100 to be removed, yet prevent the case 100 frombeing reclosed without evidence of opening the case 100. One suchtamper-preventing feature can include perforation lines at locationswhere two panels or tabs fold with respect to each other. As describedabove, foldable can be understood to mean that two features areconnected but that one can be moved, or hinged, with respect to theother. The connection between these foldable sections can be perforatedsuch that, if force is applied to that section of the case 100, theperforation can be broken. An example of this is shown in FIG. 1 atperforated fold line 450 positioned between each sidewall 104,106 andthe base flaps 112. As will be described below with reference to FIGS.4D and 5G, positioning a perforated fold line 450 at this location canprevent the fraudster from prying the lower front panel 306 downwardsuch that the contents of the case 100 are pulled from the upperapertures 204 to a degree such that they can be removed from the case.If the lower front panel 306 is pulled down with a certain amount offorce, the perforated fold line 450 can tear, thus evidence thetampering. It should be noted that a perforation line can be placed atother foldable sections, and the placement is not limited to theconnection between each sidewall 104,106 and the base flaps 112. Forexample, a perforated fold line can be placed between the top flap(s)219 and the top panel 208, between the upper front panel 206 and thefastener tab 221 (described below as tear corner 280), between the lowerholder panel 302 and the lower holder flaps 320, between the bottompanel 308 and the bottom flap(s) 319, and/or any other foldable sectionor combinations of foldable sections. Various additional embodiments oftamper-preventing features are described below.

FIG. 2A is a front view of an example case 100, according to someembodiments of the present disclosure. The example case 100 is shownstoring three bottles, which is in accordance with the presentdisclosure. However, the case 100 is not limited to three bottles 500.For example, the case can be modified to include any bottle shape orquantity, including one bottle or any larger quantity.

The case 100 can be manufactured such that, once the bottles 500 areinserted into the case 100 and the panels are all in their closedconfiguration, the bottles 500 therein can be separated (i.e., raised)from the back panel 102 a certain distance. In other words, the bottles500 can be suspended and supported only by the upper apertures 204 andlower apertures 304. The distance of separation between the bottle 500and the back panel 102 can depend on the bottle 500 being stored. Forexample, a heavier bottle (e.g., double magnum (3 L)) may require moreseparation than a single bottle (0.75 L). If the case 100 impacts theground, considering inertia for example, a larger bottle may move morein the upper apertures 204 and/or lower apertures 304 than a smallerbottle. As a non-limiting example, the bottles 500 can be separated fromthe back panel 102 by a distance of about 0.5 cm to about 1.5 cm.

In a fully closed configuration, as shown in FIG. 2A, the upper frontpanel 206 and lower front panel 306 (both facing toward the customer)can define an observation window 400. For example, a bottom edge 230 ofthe upper front panel 206 can define the top of an observation window400, and a top edge 330 of the lower front panel 306 can define thebottom of the observation window 400. The observation window 400 enablesa view of the bottle 500 without removing the bottle 500 from the case100. As described above, previous systems for storing and transportingbottles included wood or ordinary cardboard cases. To view the bottles500 within these previous designs, the bottles 500 had to be removedfrom the case. The present design enables customers and industrystakeholders to quickly and easily access and read labels on the bottle500, ensure the contents are correct, and apply additional labels to thebottle 500 if necessary. This can solve the issue of bottlenecks in thesupply chain by speeding up the quality control inspection process whilealso dramatically improving the customer experience.

The dimensions of an observation window 400 can be customized based onthe size of the one or more bottles 500 being stored in the case 100.The bottom edge 230 can be designed such that the upper front panel 206does not obscure a view of the level of the liquid within the bottle500. Consider, for example, a bottle 500 comprising wine. The bottomedge 230 can be positioned such that the upper front panel 206 does notextend over the top level of the wine. This can enable a customer toview the bottle to make sure that no liquid has been removed from thebottle 500. In some examples, the bottom edge 230 can extend from about3.0 cm to about 6.0 cm from the top of the bottle 500. When the upperfoldable section 200 includes top internal supports 212,214,216,218forming the upper box 210, the distance from the bottom edge 230 to thetop panel 208 can be greater, for example from about 3.0 cm to about 8.0cm. Similarly, it is contemplated that the top edge 330 of the lowerfront panel 306 does not obscure bottle labels. In some examples, thetop edge 330 can extend from about 2.0 cm to about 5.0 cm from thebottom of the bottle 500. When the lower foldable section 300 includesbottom internal supports 312,314,316,318 forming the lower box 310, thedistance from the top edge 330 to the bottom panel 308 can be greater,for example from about 2.0 cm to about 8.0 cm. The upper front panel 206and the lower front panel 306 also have the additional benefit ofproviding a surface branding on the case 100. For example, an exampleheight of from about 4.0 cm to about 8.0 cm can provide a large flatsurface for brand labels.

In some examples, the case 100 can include a lid, not shown in FIG. 2A,that slides over the entirety of the case 100 to conceal the contentstherein. This enables the present case 100 design to also serve as theshipping container for the bottles 500. In some examples, the case 100can be inserted into an exterior box or container for shipment.

As described above, once the case 100 is in a closed configuration andstoring bottles 500 or other products, the case 100 can be permanentlysealed. This can mean that, in order to remove any bottle 500 in thecase, the material of the case 100 may be torn or destroyed—thusevidencing the tampering of the case. In some examples, the case 100 caninclude features to help facilitate the removal of the bottles 500. Forexample, the upper box 210 and/or lower box 310 can include featuresthat help the customer open the permanently sealed case 100. Thesefeatures can include, but are not limited to, perforation lines (e.g.,tear corner 280), tear strips (e.g., tear strip 256), and/or the like orany combination thereof. FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the examplecase 100 shown in FIG. 2A.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views of a case in an openconfiguration, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.The two figures show example reinforcement features that can be usedwithin a case 100 to further increase its stability and integrity. Asdescribed above, an aim of the present disclosure is to provide sturdypackaging to protect the product in the case 100, even if the case 100is dropped, for example from above 0.9 m. Certain locations on the case100 where the products are supported can include additional padding. Forexample, the case 100 can include lower pad 350 and/or an upper pad 250.The lower pad 350 and/or lower pad 250 can be a layer of material, whichcan be the same material as the case 100 or a different material, thatincreases the thickness of the case 100 at the bottom panel 308 and toppanel 208, respectively. The case 100 can include a lower aperture pad352 and/or an upper aperture pad 252 to protect the part of the case 100around the lower apertures 304 and upper apertures 204, respectively.This padding, which also can be the same material or a differentmaterial than the case, can provide additional support directly aroundthe product in the apertures 204,304. Any panel of the case can includeadditional padding. The additional padding can be secured to the case100 using adhesive, double-sided tape, and similar attachmentmechanisms. FIG. 3A is a partially exploded view wherein the padding iselevated from the case 100; FIG. 3B shows the padding attached to thecase 100. It has been shown that a case 100 manufactured according tothe examples shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B is able to be dropped from 0.9 mwithout breaking bottles stored within the case 100. In addition, it hasbeen shown that a case 100 manufactured according to the examples shownin FIGS. 3A and 3B can withstand a 10-drop sequence, one drop for eachof 10 orientations, without breaking bottles stored within the case 100.These orientations included: the most fragile corner; the shortest edgeradiating from the drop corner; the medium edge radiating from the dropcorner; the longest edge radiating from the drop corner; a flat surfaceof the case on the smallest face; a flat surface opposite smallest faceof the case; a flat surface on one of the medium faces; a flat surfaceopposite the medium face of the case; a flat surface on the largest faceof the case; and a flat surface on the opposite large face of the case.The case according to the examples shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B isconfigured to pass various recognized drop tests such as, for example,the ISTA 1A drop test.

In some examples, the top flap(s) 219 and the bottom flap(s) 319 caninclude hooks that enable the two features to hook together when in theclosed configuration. For example, a top hook 260 on the first top flap219 can meet with a bottom hook 360 on the bottom flap 319 when theflaps 219,319 are folded inwardly in the closed configuration. Thesehooks 260,360 can enable the flaps 219,319 to engage and increase theintegrity of the sides of the case 100. This hooking mechanism can beseen in detail in FIG. 4C.

In some examples, the case 100 can include a tear tab 254 to helpfacilitate the removal of the products within the case 100 when the case100 is in a closed configuration. As described above, once the case 100is closed, it can be permanently sealed around the products, e.g.,bottles. A mechanism to remove the products from the case 100 includes atear tab 254 that can be pulled to remove a tear strip 256 located onone of the upper holder panel 202 or the lower holder panel 302.Referring to the case 100 in FIG. 3B for illustration, the tear strip256 can be a portion of the upper holder panel 202 that can be torn fromthe case 100 to open (or remove) a portion of the upper apertures 204.The tear strip 256 can be a strip defined by perforations in the surfaceof the case 100. In other examples, the tear strip 256 can include astrip of material 258 that helps remove a portion of the panel. Forexample, the strip of material 258 can be disposed on the surface of thepanel or inside the layers of the panel. The strip of material 258 canbe attached to or end at the tear tab 254. When the tear tab 254 ispulled, the strip of material 258 tears along the tear strip 256 toremove the portion of the upper holder panel 202 or the lower holderpanel 302.

To further facilitate the release of the bottles or other products fromthe closed case 100, the junction between the upper front panel 206 andthe fastener tab 221 can include a tear corner 280. The tear corner 280can include perforations or other tear lines that enable the upper frontpanel 206 to separate (or hinge) with respect to the upper front panel206. This tearing and hinging of the upper front panel 206 canfacilitate the removal of the upper part of the product (e.g., neck ofthe bottle) from an upper aperture 204. The tear tab 254, tear strip256, and tear corner 280 are discussed in greater detail below withreference to FIGS. 5A-5I.

FIGS. 4A-4M depict an example process of packaging a bottle 500 withinan example case 100, according to some embodiments of the presentdisclosure. The process shown in FIGS. 4A-4M is merely exemplary and isillustrative of a possible boxing/packaging process. Some example casesmay include more, less, or different features than the case 100 shown inFIGS. 4A-4M. Additionally, and as described throughout this disclosure,the cases 100 described herein can store and secure products other thanbottles.

In FIG. 4A, the example case 100 is provided in an open configuration,wherein the entirety of the packaging is flat, and all of the respectivefoldable panels are coplanar. As described above, the case 100 caninclude padding features at various panels (e.g., lower pad(s) 350,upper pad(s) 250, upper aperture pad(s) 252, lower aperture pad(s) 352,etc.). In FIG. 4B, the upper foldable section 200 (i.e., top panel 208,upper front panel 206, upper holder panel 202, and a top internalsupport 212) is folded inwardly and toward the back panel 102, and thelower foldable section 300 (i.e., bottom panel 308, lower front panel306, lower holder panel 302) is folded inwardly and toward the backpanel 102.

In FIG. 4C, the top flaps 219 and bottom flaps 319 are folded inwardlyto create sides of the case 100. As described above, the top flap(s) 219can include a top hook 260 that engages with a bottom hook 360 on thebottom flap(s) 319. Engaging the top hook 260 and the bottom hook 360can create a study wall along the side of the case 100, formed by thetop flaps 219 and bottom flaps 319.

In FIG. 4D, the sidewalls 104,106 and sidewall flaps 108,110 are foldedinwardly and perpendicular to the back panel 102. The lower holder panel302 can also be folded outwardly, and away from the internal cavity ofthe case 100. The lower holder flaps 320 can be folded outwardly. Oncethe sidewalls 104,106 are folded inwardly, they will abut and restadjacent to the top flaps 219 and bottom flaps 319. Fastener openings224 a on the sidewalls 104,106 can now align with the fastener openings224 c on the top flaps 219. FIG. 4D also shows an example placement of aperforated fold line 450. As described above, the perforated fold line450 can be added between the sidewalls 104,106 and the base flaps 112 toprevent the case 100 from being pried open by exerting force on thebottom of the case, at least without evidencing the tampering.

In FIG. 4E, the lower holder panel 302 and lower holder flaps 320 arefolded inside of the cavity formed by the sidewalls 104,106, bottompanel 308, and top panel 208. This folding can create the platform toaccept and hold the bottom of the product (e.g., the heel of thebottle).

In FIG. 4F, the sidewall flaps 108,110 are folded inwardly and over thetop flaps 219 and bottom flaps 319, thereby concealing the top flaps 219and bottom flaps 319 between the sidewalls 104,106 and sidewall flaps108,110 (and protecting the hooks 260,360 if included in the case 100).At this step, the fastener openings 224 b on the sidewall flaps 108,110can align with the already aligned fastener openings 224 a,c, therebycreating a three-layer fastener opening 224 a,b,c.

In FIG. 4G, the top internal support 212 and upper holder panel 202 arefolded inwardly and toward the back panel 102. Folding the upper holderpanel 202 inwardly can position the upper apertures 204 toward thebottom panel 308. For example, as the upper holder panel 202 flattens,the top of the bottle can be inserted into an upper aperture 204, andthe upper front panel 206 can be pushed downward to create thesubstantially 90° construction for holding the bottles. In FIG. 4H, thebottom of a product (e.g., heel of a bottle 500) can be positioned inthe lower apertures 304, and the top of the product (e.g., neck of thebottle 500) can be placed within the upper apertures 204. Once the topof the product is inserted into the upper aperture(s) 204, the productcan be fully seated and the upper foldable section 200 can be moved intoits closed configuration. For example, once the bottles are insertedinto the upper apertures 204, the bottles and/or upper front panel 206can be pushed from a first position (as shown in FIG. 4H) to a secondposition (as shown in FIG. 4I) wherein the upper front panel 206 andupper holder panel 202 are substantially perpendicular. From theposition where the top of the product is inserted into the upperaperture 204 to the position where the product is fully seated, the topof the product can drop from about 1.0 cm to about 3.0 cm toward theback panel 102.

In FIG. 4I, the bottle 500 is fully seated and the upper holder panel202 can abut the back panel 102. At this point, the fastener openings224 a,b,c are only visible on the outside of the case 100 (e.g., on thesidewalls 104,106). On the inside of the case 100, the fastener openings224 a,b,c can be concealed by the upper box 210 created by the upperholder panel 202, the top panel 208, and the back panel 102. This designcan help prevent tampering with the case 100 when the fasteners 220 arefully locked into the fastener openings 224 a,b,c. The example fastener220 in FIGS. 4A-4M is a tuck-tab fastener 220. The tuck-tab fastener 220includes two folding tabs 222 that can be pinched inward and insertedinto a fastener openings 224 a,b,c.

A case 100 according to the present disclosure can also include a tearcorner 280 (as described above) and/or a fastener tear strip 512 locatedbetween the fastener tab 221 and the fastener 220. The fastener tearstrip 512 can be used to indicate if someone has attempted to pry openthe case 100 near the fastener 220. The fastener tear strip 512 isdiscussed in greater detail below with reference to FIG. 5I.

In FIG. 4J, the folding tabs 222 of the fastener 220 are pinchedinwardly, and the pinched folding tabs 222 are inserted into thefastener openings 224 a,b,c. FIGS. 4K and 4L are partial-cutaway viewssuch that the folding tabs 222 are visible within the upper box 210. InFIG. 4K, the folding tabs 222 unfold, thereby locking the fastener tab221 in place and permanently securing the products into the closed case100. FIG. 4M shows the end result, wherein the fastener tab 221 issecured. In some examples, the corner defined by the fastener tab 221folded with respect to the upper front panel 206 can be a tearablecorner (e.g., the tear corner 280 described above) to facilitate openingthe case 100. This opening is described below with reference to FIGS.5A-5I.

FIGS. 5A-5I depict example steps to release a product from a closed case100, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In FIG.5A, the products (bottles 500 in this example) are fully sealed into thecase 100. The example case 100 includes a tear tab 254 and a tear strip256 on the upper holder panel 202. The tear strip 256 is positioned suchthat at least a portion of the perimeter of the upper apertures 204 isdefined by the tear strip 256. This can help facilitate the removal ofthe first end of the product from the case 100.

In FIG. 5B, the tab 254 is pulled, thereby pulling the tear strip 256from the upper holder panel 202. As described above, the tear strip 256can be defined by a perforation line on the upper holder panel 202and/or can include a secondary material (such as an internal piece ofplastic, fabric, etc.) that assists in tearing the upper holder panel202.

In FIG. 5C, the tear strip 256 is completely removed. Removing the tearstrip 256 can create an opening 502 in the upper apertures 204 (e.g.,the portion of the perimeter that is defined by the tear strip 256) toremove the product. In some examples, the corner defined by the fastenertab 221 folded with respect to the upper front panel 206 can be atearable corner (e.g., the tear corner 280) that facilitates opening ofthe upper front panel 206. The tear corner 280 can be a perforation linedisposed between the fastener tab 221 and the upper front panel 206. Thetear corner 280 can be a perforation line to assist in opening the case100 at the upper front panel 206. The perforation line can evidencetampering and prohibit fraudulent repair, and a variety of designs forperforation lines may be used for this purpose. Simple perforationholes, or slotted perforation holes, can be used to create the tearcorner 280. In other examples, the tear corner 280 can include otherdesigns to alert the consumer of possible tampering. For example, somedesigns can create a wider, more jagged edge once torn. An exampleperforation line can include a series of alternating crescents, or halfcircles. If the alternating crescents are torn, the resulting tear willbe a curving line that is difficult to repair. Another exampleperforation line can include a series of alternating wishbone shapes. Ifthe alternating wishbone shapes are torn, the resulting tear line willinclude a series of knobs remaining from the wishbone shapes. Theseknobs may, again, be difficult to repair without showing significantdamage to the perforation line. Another example perforation line caninclude a series of alternating caret shapes. If the alternating caretshapes are torn, the resulting saw-tooth tear line would be difficult torepair and hide the tampering. The above perforation shapes are merelyexemplary and are not intended to be limiting. An additional perforationline shape for the tear corner 280, for example, is discussed in greaterdetail below with reference to FIG. 5H.

In FIG. 5D, the tear corner 280 is torn, and the upper front panel 206is hinged up, thereby uncovering the top portion of the product in thecase 100. At this point, top of the product can be pulled outwardly fromthe opening 502 (and from the opened upper box 210) and removed from thecase 100, as seen in FIG. 5E.

The tear corner(s) 280 can be provided along with the tear strip 256 toenable opening the upper front panel 206. In other examples, the case100 can include only the tear corner(s) 280 and not include a tear strip256. In these cases, the upper front panel 206 can be pushed upwards tobreak the tear corner(s) 280. This can enable the upper holder panel 202to hinge upwards, and the upper part of the product (e.g., the neck ofthe bottle 500) can be removed from the upper apertures 204. FIGS. 5Fand 5G provide an illustration of this example. In FIG. 5F, the upperholder panel 202 does not include a tear strip 256. The bottles 500 canbe removed by tearing the tear corner(s) 280 (e.g., by lifting the upperholder panel 202 and/or by pushing the upper front panel 206 inward) andhinging the upper front panel 206 upward, thereby providing clearancefor the upper part of the bottle 500 to be pulled from the upperapertures 204. As the upper front panel 206 moves upwards, the upperholder panel 202 can flatten with respect to the upper front panel 206.As the upper holder panel 202 flattens and the upper front panel 206moves upwards, the neck(s) of the bottle(s) 500 move diagonally upwardsand out of the case 100. When more than one bottle 500 is stored in thecase 100, the neck of each bottle 500 can raise simultaneously,providing an aesthetic presentation as the case 100 is opened. Thisaesthetic presentation of the bottles 500 being lifted from the case 100is shown in FIG. 5G. When the tear corner(s) 280 are broken, examplecases can provide audible feedback of such tearing. This audiblefeedback of the tear corner(s) 280 breaking can also notify an end userthan someone is opening, or attempting to open, the case 100.

FIG. 5G also highlights a location of an optional perforated fold line450, as described above. The perforated fold line 450 can, in someexamples, be hidden by a slight overhang by the lower front panel 306,thus the perforated fold line 450 can be hidden from a front view, asshown in FIG. 5G. In other examples, the perforated fold line 450 can bevisible from the front face of the case 100.

It will be understood that, although FIGS. 5A-5G show a case 100 whereinthe locking features (e.g., fastener 220, fastener tab 221, and/or tearcorner(s) 280) are placed at the top of the case 100 near the upperholder panel 202, it will be understood that the locking features can bepositioned on the bottom of the case 100 near the lower holder panel302. The only changes to the design to accommodate this embodimentinclude moving the features to the opposite end of the case. Toillustrate, in these examples, the top of the bottle can first beinserted into an upper aperture 204. As the lower holder panel 302flattens, the bottom of the bottle can be inserted into a lower aperture304. The bottle can be at an angle with respect to the back panel 102.The lower front panel 306 can be pushed downward to create thesubstantially 90° construction wherein the lower front panel 306 issubstantially perpendicular to the lower holder panel 302. The lockingfeatures (e.g., fastener 220, fastener tab 221, etc.) can be locatedproximate the lower front panel 306, and the case 100 can then be lockedinto a closed configuration with the fasteners 220. The products can, inthese examples, be removed by removing the bottom of the product fromthe case 100 and then pulling the product downwardly out of the case100.

Referring again to FIG. 5G, in some examples, the upper apertures 204and/or lower apertures 304 can include slits 504 cut into the peripheryof the apertures. The slits 504 can define a plurality of aperturefingers 506 for holding the product. The aperture fingers 506 can enablethe apertures 204,304 to accommodate products (e.g., bottles) of varyingsizes. As the product is enclosed within the case 100 (for example asshown in FIG. 4H), the aperture fingers 506 can deflect to accommodatelarger products. This feature can be beneficial for storing bottles ofwine, as different wine varietals may require differently shapedbottles, even if the bottles hold the same volume of liquid. Theaperture fingers 506 can enable the differently-shaped bottles to beused within the same case 100.

FIG. 5H depicts an example perforation line for the tear corner 280, asintroduced above with reference to FIG. 5C. The upper front panel 206can include a series of diagonal strips 508 cut into the material of theupper front panel 206. In cases 100 that include this type ofperforation, if the upper front panel 206 is pulled open, the connectingsections 510 between the diagonal strips 508 can tear. Once the diagonalstrips 508 are cut or torn, the tear corner 280 will have a noticeablyrigid edge, providing visible indication of opening and making itimpossible to replace/repair fraudulently without the consumer knowingthe case 100 was opened.

As described above with reference to FIG. 4I, the case 100 can include afastener tear strip 512 located between the fastener tab 221 and thefastener 220. FIG. SI shows an example fastener tear strip 512. Thefastener tear strip 512 can include a perforation line that enables thefastener 220 to be torn with respect to the fastener tab 221. Thisexample can improve the tamper-proofing of the case 100. If a potentialfraudster attempts to pull the fastener 220 out of the case 100 once thecase 100 is locked into a closed configuration, the fastener tear strip512 can rip with any undue pressure. If the fastener tear strip 512 isripped, the customer can be alerted that the case has been opened andthe contents of the case 100 may have been adulterated. The fastenertear strip 512 can take the form of any of the perforation linesdescribed herein. The fastener tear strip 512 can have a similar form asthe tear corner 280. For example, the fastener tear strip 512 caninclude diagonal strips 514 that are similar to the diagonal strips 508of the tear corner 280; and the fastener tear strip 512 can includeconnecting sections 516 between the diagonal strips 514 that can tear,similar to the connecting strips 510 of the tear corner 280.

The fastener tear strip 512 can be used alone or in conjunction with thetear corner 280 to evidence tampering and to provide a means to open thecase 100. For example, in some cases, the tear corner 280 can beprovided alone to evidence tampering. Alternatively or in addition, thetear corner 280 can be torn by pressing down on the upper front panel206, or pulling up on the upper holder panel 202, until the tear corner280 tears, and the case can then be opened. In alternative designs, thecase 100 can include only the fastener tear strip 512. In theseexamples, the fastener tear strip 510 near the fastener 220 can be tornto allow the case to open. In yet other alternative designs, the case100 can include both the tear corner 280 and the fastener tear strip512. In these examples, the fastener tab 221 can be torn entirely fromthe case 100 at the perforations of the tear corner 280 and the fastenertear tab 512. Once the fastener tab 221 is torn from the case 100, theupper front panel 206 can be hinged open to access the bottles. In thisexample, the fastener tab 221 acts as a tear strip that can be torn byputting one's finger under the fastener tab 221, pulling outwardly, andreleasing the upper front panel 206. Once the fastener tab 221 isremoved from the case 100, any of the bottle removing procedures can beperformed to remove the bottles (or other products) from the case 100.This removal can include the example shown in FIG. 5F, where the upperfront panel 206 moves upward and the upper holder panel 202 flattenswith respect the upper front panel 206. In other words, as the upperfront panel 206 is pushed upwards, the upper holder panel 202 slidesfrom a first position substantially perpendicular to the bottles 500 toa second position angled with respect to the bottles 500. This angle ofthe upper holder panel 202 can enable the bottles 500 to be removed fromthe upper apertures 204.

FIGS. 6A-6D are perspective views of a case 100 being positioned withinan outer box 600, according to some embodiments of the presentdisclosure. As one aspect of the present designs is to provide a case100 that enables the contents stored therein to be viewed, an outer box600 can be provided to ship the products to the end user. This canensure the contents are protected as the product is handled duringshipment.

Aspects of the invention are also provided by the following numberedclauses:

Clause 1: A method for securing a product within a tamper-proof casecomprising: folding a first sidewall and a second sidewall inwardly suchthat the first sidewall and the second sidewall are approximatelyperpendicular to a back panel; folding a lower foldable section inwardlysuch that a bottom panel of the lower foldable section is approximatelyperpendicular to the back panel; folding a bottom flap connected to thebottom panel toward the back panel; folding a lower holder panel of thelower foldable section such the lower holder panel is facing an upperfoldable section of the tamper-proof case; folding a first top flapconnected to a top panel and a second top flap connected to the toppanel inwardly; folding the upper foldable section inwardly such thatthe top panel is approximately perpendicular to the back panel and thefirst top flap and the second top flap are positioned interior to thefirst sidewall and the second sidewall; folding a first sidewall flapinwardly to abut the first top flap; folding a second sidewall flapinwardly to abut the second top flap; folding an upper holder panelinwardly such that the upper holder panel is facing toward the lowerfoldable section; inserting a bottom of the product into a loweraperture of the lower holder panel; inserting a top of the product intoan upper aperture of the upper holder panel; pushing the product towardthe back panel such that an upper front panel is approximately coplanarwith a lower front panel of the lower foldable section; and securing theproduct within the tamper-proof case.

Clause 2: The method of Clause 1, wherein securing the product withinthe tamper-proof case comprises securing the upper foldable section tothe first sidewall and the second sidewall.

Clause 3: The method of any of Clauses 1 to 2, wherein securing theproduct within the tamper-proof case comprises: inserting a firstfastener connected to the upper front panel into a first fasteneropening disposed within the first sidewall; and inserting a secondfastener connected to the upper front panel into a second fasteneropening disposed within the first sidewall.

Clause 4: The method of Clause 3, wherein the first fastener comprises afirst set of foldable tabs; wherein the second fastener comprises asecond set of foldable tabs; and wherein the method further comprises:folding the first set of foldable tabs prior to inserting the firstfastener into the first fastener opening; and folding the second set offoldable tabs prior to inserting the second fastener into the secondfastener opening.

Clause 5: The method of Clause 4, wherein the first set of foldable tabsunfold subsequent to inserting the first fastener into the firstfastener opening to secure the product within the tamper-proof case; andwherein the second set of foldable tabs unfold subsequent to insertingthe second fastener into the second fastener opening to secure theproduct within the tamper-proof case.

Clause 6: The method of any of Clauses 1 to 5, further comprisingpulling a tear strip of the upper holder panel to create an opening inthe upper aperture.

Clause 7: The method of Clause 6, further comprising tearing a tearcorner on the upper front panel; and hinging the upper front panel awayfrom the top of the product.

Clause 8: The method of Clause 7, further comprising pulling the top ofthe product from the upper aperture.

Clause 9: The method of any of Clauses 1 to 3, wherein securing theproduct within the tamper-proof case comprises stapling the upperfoldable section to the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

Clause 10: The method of any of Clauses 1 to 9, wherein, subsequent tosecuring the product within the tamper-proof case, the product isseparated from the back panel from between 0.5 cm and 1.5 cm.

Clause 11: The method of any of Clauses 1 to 10, wherein the upper frontpanel and the lower front panel define an observation window when theupper front panel is approximately coplanar with the lower front panel.

Clause 12: The method of Clause 11, wherein a first edge of theobservation window is approximately 4.0 cm to approximately 8.0 cm fromthe bottom panel; and wherein a second edge of the observation window isapproximately 4.0 cm to approximately 8.0 cm from the top panel.

Clause 13: The method of any of Clauses 1-12, further comprising:tearing a tear corner on the upper front panel; and hinging the upperfront panel away from the top of the product.

It is to be understood that the mention of one or more method steps doesnot preclude the presence of additional method steps or interveningmethod steps between those steps expressly identified. It is also to beunderstood that the embodiments and claims disclosed herein are notlimited in their application to the details of construction andarrangement of the components set forth in the description andillustrated in the drawings. Rather, the description and the drawingsprovide examples of the embodiments envisioned. The embodiments andclaims disclosed herein are further capable of other embodiments and ofbeing practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to beunderstood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are forthe purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting theclaims.

Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that theconception upon which the application and claims are based may bereadily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods,and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the embodiments andclaims presented in this application. It is important, therefore, thatthe claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions.

Furthermore, the purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable thepublic, and especially including the practitioners in the art who arenot familiar with patent and legal terms or phraseology, to determinequickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of thetechnical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neitherintended to define the claims of the application, nor is it intended tobe limiting to the scope of the claims in any way. Instead, it isintended that the invention is defined by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tamper-proof case comprising: a back panel; anupper foldable section comprising: a top panel foldably connected to theback panel; an upper front panel foldably connected to the top panel;and an upper holder panel foldably connected to the upper front paneland comprising a first upper aperture configured to hold a top of afirst product; a lower foldable section comprising: a bottom panelfoldably connected to the back panel; a lower front panel foldablyconnected to the bottom panel; and a lower holder panel foldablyconnected to the lower front panel comprising a first lower apertureconfigured to hold a bottom of the first product; a first sidewall; asecond sidewall; a first base flap foldably connected to the firstsidewall and comprising a first perforated fold line positioned at aconnection between the first sidewall and the first base flap; and asecond base flap foldably connected to the second sidewall andcomprising a second perforated fold line positioned at a connectionbetween the second sidewall and the second base flap, wherein each ofthe upper foldable section, the lower foldable section, the firstsidewall, and the second sidewall have an open configuration and aclosed configuration, wherein, in their open configurations, the upperfoldable section, the lower foldable section, the first sidewall, andthe second sidewall are substantially coplanar with the back panel, andwherein, in their closed configurations, the upper foldable section, thelower foldable section, the first sidewall, and the second sidewall areconfigured to secure the first product within the tamper-proof case. 2.The tamper-proof case of claim 1 further comprising: a first top flapfoldably connected to the top panel and configured to abut the backpanel when the upper foldable section is in the closed configuration;and a second top flap foldably connected to the top panel and configuredto abut the back panel when the upper foldable section is in the closedconfiguration.
 3. The tamper-proof case of claim 1, wherein: the upperfront panel further comprises: a first foldable fastener; and a secondfoldable fastener; the first sidewall comprises a first fastener openingconfigured to accept the first foldable fastener; and the secondsidewall comprises a second fastener opening configured to accept thesecond foldable fastener.
 4. The tamper-proof case of claim 3 furthercomprising: a first top flap foldably connected to the top panel andconfigured to abut the back panel when the upper foldable section is inthe closed configuration, the first top flap comprising a third fasteneropening configured to accept the first foldable fastener; and a secondtop flap foldably connected to the top panel and configured to abut theback panel when the upper foldable section is in the closedconfiguration, the second top flap comprising a fourth fastener openingconfigured to accept the second foldable fastener.
 5. The tamper-proofcase of claim 3 further comprising the first product, wherein the firstfoldable fastener is connected with the first fastener opening, whereinthe second foldable fastener is connected with the second fasteneropening, and wherein the first product is permanently secured within thefirst upper aperture and the first lower aperture.
 6. The tamper-proofcase of claim 3 further comprising a tear strip on the upper holderpanel and proximate the first upper aperture and configured to remove aportion of the first upper aperture upon being removed.
 7. Thetamper-proof case of claim 6 further comprising a first tear cornerdisposed between the upper front panel and the first foldable fastenerand a second tear corner disposed between the upper front panel and thesecond foldable fastener.
 8. The tamper-proof case of claim 3 furthercomprising a first tear corner disposed between the upper front paneland the first foldable fastener and a second tear corner disposedbetween the upper front panel and the second foldable fastener.
 9. Thetamper-proof case of claim 1 further comprising: a first sidewall flapfoldably connected to the first sidewall and comprising a first lockingtab configured to extend into a first tab slit disposed in the backpanel; and a second sidewall flap foldably connected to the secondsidewall and comprising a second locking tab configured to extend into asecond tab slit disposed in the back panel.
 10. The tamper-proof case ofclaim 1 wherein the upper foldable section is permanently attached tothe first sidewall and the second sidewall when the upper foldablesection, the first sidewall, and the second sidewall are in their closedconfigurations.
 11. The tamper-proof case of claim 1 further comprising:a lower pad adhered to the bottom panel; an upper pad adhered to the toppanel; a lower aperture pad adhered to the lower holder panel; and anupper aperture pad adhered to the upper holder panel.
 12. Thetamper-proof case of claim 1, wherein: the upper holder panel furthercomprises a second upper aperture configured to hold a top of a secondproduct; and the lower holder panel further comprises a second loweraperture configured to hold a bottom of the second product, wherein, intheir closed configurations, the upper foldable section, the lowerfoldable section, the first sidewall, and the second sidewall areconfigured to secure the second product within the tamper-proof case.13. The tamper-proof case of claim 1, wherein: the lower front panelfurther comprises: a first foldable fastener; and a second foldablefastener; the first sidewall comprises a first fastener openingconfigured to accept the first foldable fastener; and the secondsidewall comprises a second fastener opening configured to accept thesecond foldable fastener.
 14. The tamper-proof case of claim 1, whereinat least one of the first upper aperture or the first lower aperturecomprises a plurality of aperture fingers.
 15. A tamper-proof casecomprising: a back panel; an upper foldable section comprising: a toppanel foldably connected to the back panel; an upper front panelfoldably connected to the top panel; and an upper holder panel foldablyconnected to the upper front panel and comprising a first upper apertureconfigured to hold a top of a first product; a lower foldable sectioncomprising: a bottom panel foldably connected to the back panel; a lowerfront panel foldably connected to the bottom panel; and a lower holderpanel foldably connected to the lower front panel comprising a firstlower aperture configured to hold a bottom of the first product; a firstsidewall; a second sidewall; a lower pad adhered to the bottom panel; anupper pad adhered to the top panel; a lower aperture pad adhered to thelower holder panel; and an upper aperture pad adhered to the upperholder panel, wherein each of the upper foldable section, the lowerfoldable section, the first sidewall, and the second sidewall have anopen configuration and a closed configuration, wherein, in their openconfigurations, the upper foldable section, the lower foldable section,the first sidewall, and the second sidewall are substantially coplanarwith the back panel, and wherein, in their closed configurations, theupper foldable section, the lower foldable section, the first sidewall,and the second sidewall are configured to secure the first productwithin the tamper-proof case.
 16. The tamper-proof case of claim 15further comprising: a first top flap foldably connected to the top paneland configured to abut the back panel when the upper foldable section isin the closed configuration; and a second top flap foldably connected tothe top panel and configured to abut the back panel when the upperfoldable section is in the closed configuration.
 17. The tamper-proofcase of claim 15, wherein: the upper front panel further comprises: afirst foldable fastener; and a second foldable fastener; the firstsidewall comprises a first fastener opening configured to accept thefirst foldable fastener; and the second sidewall comprises a secondfastener opening configured to accept the second foldable fastener. 18.The tamper-proof case of claim 17 further comprising: a first top flapfoldably connected to the top panel and configured to abut the backpanel when the upper foldable section is in the closed configuration,the first top flap comprising a third fastener opening configured toaccept the first foldable fastener; and a second top flap foldablyconnected to the top panel and configured to abut the back panel whenthe upper foldable section is in the closed configuration, the secondtop flap comprising a fourth fastener opening configured to accept thesecond foldable fastener.
 19. The tamper-proof case of claim 17 furthercomprising the first product, wherein the first foldable fastener isconnected with the first fastener opening, wherein the second foldablefastener is connected with the second fastener opening, and wherein thefirst product is permanently secured within the first upper aperture andthe first lower aperture.
 20. The tamper-proof case of claim 17 furthercomprising a tear strip on the upper holder panel and proximate thefirst upper aperture and configured to remove a portion of the firstupper aperture upon being removed.